Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, on his departure as leader of the Green Party.

Last night, I was at a well attended, large public meeting in the Killygarry Community Centre, County Cavan. Gathered were people from the Shankill lower and Pottle area in Cavan where two sites are proposed for the development of battery energy storage systems. It is arguably the first of its kind in County Cavan.

A number of speakers educated everyone in the room, along with myself and other public representatives. The main concerns are around safety for local residents and the possible risks to the general public. The question is being asked as to who is responsible for that element of the development of the sites. Locals have done a lot of work on this and they are getting feedback that no one is responsible at the moment for the safety of these sites – not EirGrid, the ESB, the Departments of the environment or housing, the EPA or the SEAI. They all give the same answer that no one is responsible. I have three asks. It is quite alarming for the locals and for public representatives. Cavan County Council has granted planning permission for these sites-----

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